Rory McIlroy makes welcome return to form in first round of BMW Championship

McIlroy shot a fine six-under-par opening round for a share of the lead

Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 15th green during the first round of the BMW Championship 2026 at Bellerive Country Club on August 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy got the improved display he had demanded from himself with a fine six-under-par opening round for a share of the lead at the BMW Championship in St Louis, where Scottie Scheffler made a poor start.

After labouring to an eight-over finish at last week’s St Jude Championship, while Scheffler coasted to an impressive victory, world number two McIlroy had admitted just signs of a positive display again at Bellerive would ‘feel like a win’.